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Biomedical subjects

A Zanetti

Publications and source records attributed to A Zanetti.

99 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of HBeAg, anti-HBe and Dane particle-associated DNA polymerase activity in asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg.

HBeAg/anti-HBe and Dane particle-associated DNA polymerase activity were detected in serum samples from 358 HBsAg asymptomatic carriers found during normal routine screening of 11,200 blood donors (HBsAg prevalence 3.1%). Since virus specific DNA polymerase activity and HBeAg seem to be associated in some way with hepatitis B virus infectivity and liver damage, 5% of the HBsAg carriers examined, as detected by the presence of HBeAg, and 9.5%, as shown by DNA polymerase activity, can be expected to have liver damage and a potential risk of transmitting hepatitis B to contacts. On the other hand, 48% of subjects were theoretically healthy and non-infective because of the presence of anti-HBe in their blood. The differentiation of groups of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, on the basis of these serological markers, may have important clinical and epidemiological implications.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mandatory or voluntary vaccinations? Juridical and medico-legal aspects].

The Italian juridical and legislative aspects of vaccination based on a compulsory system are presented considering the medico-legal questions. The prospective of a voluntary system, as anticipated by many normatives and other official documents, is examined. The experience of some local health authorities on cases of in observance of the vaccinal obligation are detailed Finally professional risks for vaccinal operators are examined and the need of specific guidelines for parents' consent to compulsory vaccination during infancy is prospected.

Immunization↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neoplastic involvement of the inferior vena cava].

Inferior caval vein invasion not infrequently complicates advanced neoplastic lesions. Primitive caval neoplasms (leiomyosarcomas) or other tumors such as renal carcinomas, pheochromocytoma, as well as liver, testis, and retroperitoneal tumors most likely cause caval invasion. In the past, caval invasion was a clear index of non operability, while today, a modern multidisciplinary approach allows to treat successfully even so advanced diseases. In the present report the Authors analyze the cases treated at the Dept. of Surgery of the University of Perugia, and review the most important international reports on this subject illustrating the new possibilities offered by IVC substitution with biological or artificial grafts.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg-HBV DNA-positive) with lymphoblastoid alpha interferon with or without corticosteroids: short- and long-term follow-up.

Efficacy and safety of therapy with lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha alone or combined with deflazacort has been investigated in 38 HBsAg-HBeAg+ patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis. Group I received 5 MU/m2 interferon thrice a week for 26 weeks; group II took interferon for 26 weeks simultaneously with a 6-week course of deflazacort. Follow-up was 18-72 months (median 42). After 12 months, responses were achieved in 3 (18%) out of 17 patients on interferon alone vs 5 (26%, p > 0.05) out of 19 on combined therapy. Blind histological assessment revealed no improvement in either group or in patients who responded to therapy within the first year of follow-up ("early responders"). "Delayed" responses were observed in 4 (29%) patients who took interferon alone vs 5 (36%, p > 0.05) who took the combined therapy. Serum HBV DNA levels decreased significantly during treatment and remained low up to 24 and 36 months of follow-up in both groups. One early responder developed hepatocellular carcinoma, another had exacerbation of liver disease in long-term follow-up. No non-responders developed liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. These results indicate that lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha inhibits HBV replication and corticosteroids have no synergistic effect in treatment of HBsAg-HBeAg+ chronic hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Follow-up of surgical biopsies in microcalcifications of the breast. Comparative analysis of patients submitted to mammography and digitalization of mammographic images].

Improvements in the techniques of preoperative needle localization of nonpalpable breast lesions that have been detected at mammography, coupled with surgical biopsy of smaller volumes of breast tissue and the use of local anesthesia have produced a more aggressive attitude toward early biopsy of lesions that are suspected of malignancy. The authors report the follow-up in 92 cases, who underwent breast biopsy for microcalcifications with no palpable lesions. In 46 women the presence of microcalcifications was evaluated through a computerized instrument which allows digitalization of the image.

Biopsy, Needle↗